Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme (AIPS)

The Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme (AIPS) enables pupils, who are receiving music tuition at a Local Education Authority (LEA) school to purchase musical instruments without paying the 17.5% VAT.

Nb. To qualify for VAT relief, the instrument should be portable of a necessary quality for the particular student i(.e. a beginner student would not be allowed to purchase a professional level instrument), and taken into school for regular, weekly use in their lessons.

The Assisted Instrument Purchase (AIPS) Scheme was approved by H.M. Customs & Excise and reviewed in September 1994 by the VAT Office. It is strictly for pupils attending local education authority schools, this means that Sixth Form Colleges, Universities and Music Colleges are not eligible.

How does the Assisted Instrument Purchase Scheme (AIPS) work?

he Parent/Pupil chooses a instrument (our helpful staff can aid you with this in our shops or via our sales line - 0844 815 0888)

The parent then pays the VAT free amount to the (LEA) school and hands in a completed Dolphin Music AIPS Form (The financial transaction between the parent /guardian and the school must take place on school premises. If the parent accepts supply of the instrument in a shop or pays the retailer directly, the school will be unable to arrange VAT relief).

The school places an official order for the instrument with Dolphin Music and accept responsibility for the delivery of it.

Upon receipt of the schools official order Dolphin Music invoices the school with the full amount including the VAT.

The school claims the VAT back in the usual way.

The pupil/parent collects the instrument from school, due to the nature of the scheme the school must take delivery of the instrument, so alternative delivery addresses are not available.

RSS Feeds

*FREE Delivery is available Mon-Fri on orders placed before 3pm.
Free Delivery is to UK mainland only on in stock orders under 32kg, over £99. All orders placed outside of UK Mainland are exempt from free delivery. Weekend delivery options are available, charges may apply.
Please note, 95% of orders are sent using our tracked next day service, on occasion we will send using royal mail on a 2-3 day service.